Lord Fifth and the old man arrived at the central area of Yu Zhou City, where the shops and stores belonging to the city's major powers flourished. This area was bustling with activity, with people moving between shops to buy and sell rare goods. Flags and banners adorned with sect symbols and emblems fluttered above the buildings, signifying the significant influence these powers held in the city.
As they walked, Lord Fifth noticed a large crowd gathering in front of a massive building with an ornate golden gate. The building was imposing, surrounded by several heavily armed guards who stood vigilantly at the entrance. It seemed like everyone was trying to get in, but only a few were allowed to pass.
Lord Fifth, eyeing the gathered crowd, asked, "What is this place? And why all the commotion?"
The old man smiled with admiration and said, "This is the Alchemist Guild. It is one of the most important organizations here in Yu Zhou and has branches in almost every city. People come here from all over the city and sometimes from neighboring villages, seeking spiritual pills or employment opportunities within the guild. They have very advanced alchemical techniques, which only those who are apprentice alchemists or have proven exceptional skills are allowed to learn."
"As for these queues, they are due to the guild's apprentice admission exam," he continued. "In fact, the Alchemist Guild is considered the greatest power in the Changlin Kingdom. It is rumored that the main branch even houses a legendary second-grade alchemist."
"Changlin Kingdom?" Lord Fifth asked, a look of curiosity on his face.
The old man understood and began to explain, "The Changlin Kingdom is a vast and prosperous kingdom under the rule of the royal family, the Li Family. The kingdom is divided into nine major cities, each enjoying a degree of autonomy but all swearing absolute loyalty to the throne. These cities are Yu Zhou, Shangdu, Biliu, Tingshu, Nanhua, Hucheng, Longshan, Yunling, and Fushan."
"In the Changlin Kingdom, Yu Zhou City is considered the weakest of the nine major cities. While Yu Zhou relies on trade and simple industries, it lacks the powerful cultivators and advanced cultivation technologies found in other cities. In Yu Zhou, most cultivators have not surpassed the Qi Condensation stage, and there are no cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage. In contrast, other cities, like Shangdu, Tingshu, and Biliu, have powerful cultivators in advanced stages of cultivation, including the Foundation Establishment stage, making them more powerful and influential within the kingdom."
"Old man, tell me, what is the highest cultivation level in this kingdom you call Changlin?" Lord Fifth asked with a disinterested tone.
The old man looked at Lord Fifth seriously and replied, "In the Changlin Kingdom, the highest cultivation level reached by anyone is the Foundation Establishment stage. There are rumors about the kingdom's protector, who is said to be at the peak of this stage and is considered by many to be a true immortal due to his immense power. It is said he can control the elements and Qi with unparalleled efficiency, making people believe he is closer to immortality than anyone else."
Lord Fifth raised his eyebrows mockingly and said, "Immortal, you say? It seems the concept of immortality here is quite limited." He thought to himself before asking the old man, "But I wonder, what makes them believe this person is truly immortal?"
The old man answered calmly, "These are stories spread among the people. No one has actually seen him age or weaken, and many believe that with his great power at the peak of Foundation Establishment, he can live a long life, earning him the title of 'Immortal.'"
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Naturally, people in these remote areas did not know that cultivators who reach the Foundation Establishment stage enjoy a long lifespan far exceeding that of ordinary humans. Under normal circumstances, a cultivator at this stage can live up to 200 years without showing signs of aging or weakness. This is due to the spiritual energy they gather and store in their bodies, which slows down the aging process and continuously regenerates body cells.
As Lord Fifth and the old man approached the Alchemist Guild, they noticed a slender young man around fifteen years old standing near the gate, sweating profusely and looking extremely anxious. The young man was trying to appear confident, but he could not hide the fear that gripped him. This young man was Lin Fan, from the Lin Family of alchemists.
Lord Fifth stopped and looked at the nervous young man and said to the old man, "Who is this boy? He looks ready to enter a battle, not a doorway."
The old man looked at the young man and immediately recognized him, "That is Lin Fan, the son of the third elder of the Lin Family. He has repeatedly tried to become an apprentice at the Alchemist Guild, but all his attempts have failed. It seems he is trying again today."
Lord Fifth looked at Lin Fan with eyes full of curiosity and interest, and asked in a questioning tone, "Oh, since he is the son of an elder of one of the major families, why does he seem so pitiful?"
Although Lord Fifth had not interacted much with humans, he had some common sense from the memories of some lost cultivators in the starry sky.
The old man looked at Lin Fan with a look of pity and replied in a low voice, "Things are not as they seem, my lord. Lin Fan is the son of Lin Shun, the third elder of the Lin Family, who left the city years ago."
The old man took a deep breath before continuing, "Due to his father's absence and the lack of anyone to protect or support him within the family, Lin Fan was neglected and mistreated. He did not receive the training or support that other children of the major families get. He is considered by them to be useless, with weak talent, and unworthy of attention. Despite all this, he still tries to prove himself and fights for his place in the family. But as you can see, his attempts often end in failure."
While Lord Fifth listened to the old man, he continued to observe Lin Fan. Suddenly, he sensed an unusual flow of energy emanating from the young man. It was luck energy, intense and mysterious, surrounding him like an invisible shield protecting him from failures and hardships. Lord Fifth's eyes narrowed with excitement as he sensed this aura, which was even stronger than those he had seen around some powerful figures in the starry sky.
He smiled with restrained excitement and thought to himself, "What an interesting discovery! This energy... it could be more powerful than it seems. Perhaps, using this boy and his unique luck, I can stir up some chaos and play my game against the Heavenly Emperor..."
Lord Fifth had not expected to encounter such a coincidence in such a remote area.
In reality, luck is one of the most mysterious and influential concepts in the world of spiritual cultivation. It is considered an invisible yet powerful factor that affects a cultivator's long journey toward achieving power and immortality. In the world of cultivation, success is not only dependent on individual skills or deep knowledge of combat and cultivation arts but also on luck. Luck can determine a cultivator's fate by granting them rare opportunities or making them face dangerous challenges.
In the cultivation path, the power of luck can help a cultivator find rare treasures, powerful spiritual pills, or ancient techniques that speed up their progress through the levels. Luck can be the difference between life and death, especially in fierce battles or when facing stronger enemies. Cultivators with strong luck often find themselves surviving dangerous situations or receiving help from strangers at crucial moments.
Additionally, the power of luck can affect a cultivator's ability to avoid disasters or unexpected events that may hinder their progress. Therefore, luck is considered an invisible but vital resource—unpredictable and uncontrollable, but one that can be relied upon in tough times to push the cultivator a step closer to achieving their grand goals.